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chris_quilts 01-11-2011 06:16 PM


Originally Posted by sueisallaboutquilts
I was thinking of using fleece as batting (a recent post gave me the idea)
Should I tie it then?? I don't MQ very well yet.

I used fleece in my last walllhanging and quilted it like normal. I did butterflies, using images from the net transferred onto parchment paper. Quilted just fine. Operator errors on the booboos and not the fleece.

Nanabanana 01-11-2011 06:28 PM

Minky is wonderful! I've used it in a couple of quilts and it machine quilts nicely with a walking foot and the tension adjusted. I've even hand appliqued to it, which is a bit more of a challenge. HOWEVER, get ready for lots of shedding of the fabric. You need to clean out your machine periodically while using it!

oatw13 01-11-2011 08:01 PM

I have used fleece as a backing and spray basted and it was fine.

I only did straight line quilting, though, and I used a walking foot. I didn't have any problems this way. Also, fleece is stretchier one way . So, I used the less stretchy top to bottom with the greater stretch going across since the majority of my quilting lines were vertical.

I have used fleece as a batting and them FMQ with no problem. Or you can straight line quilt. I use spray basting and didn't have any issues.

moonwork42029 01-11-2011 08:10 PM

I've used the polar fleece many times on the backs of baby quilts as I like the super softness of it. Granted I quilt on my Pfaff 1473 (almost 20 yrs old)and do straight line quilting but I haven't had troubles with it. I do pin it down pretty close with the jumbo safety pins. Found you have to start pinning in the middle and work your way out...then trim it ups to make it square (well kinda square for me)

On the quilt to the left, it has a "rainbow leopard" fleece (sorry forgot to take picture of it before giving it to DGD.

I've also tied when I used fleece using yarn to match up the colors...don't like the "lumps" from the knots though.

I'm not a great sewer/quilter so if I managed then someone else with better skills shouldn't have too much trouble.

Good luck

AnnieF 01-11-2011 08:16 PM

I just completed 4 lap quilts with cotton on the front and fleece as a backing. I didn't put batting in it. These were for my quilt ministry quilt and were going to children in hospitals. I pinbasted all 4 quilts first and then began machine quilting. I free motion quilted the first one and it didn't give me any problem whatsoever. My problem is that I like the texture of a cotton on cotton quilt with batting and the quilt I finished was squishy and soft and fluffy. So after I finished quilting the first one, I told my daughter that I was taking apart the other 3 and putting cotton as a backing. My daughter very wisely told me that just because I didn't like the squishy feel didn't mean a little child wouldn't like it. I decided to take her advice and the quilts turned out really cute.

pamkasperi 01-11-2011 08:20 PM


Originally Posted by loopywren
I have had some advice from you but I just cannot have any success using fleece for the backing on a quilt when I machine it, it just stretches so much and goes out of shape.. I am sorry i cannot get the photos to load on to my laptop so cannot send one.. I normally hand sew everything but want to tackle and succed with the machine sometimes. Thank you in advance... I have tried spraying it with 505 and without. My tension is okay. I have used both a walking foot and a plain one.

I use fleece all the time - but I use my serger and you have to get a piece that is a least 2 inches bigger on each side to take care of the movement.

I love using it especially for people who want it for an outdoor use (soccer or football games) makes it easy to wrap around them.

pamkasperi 01-11-2011 08:21 PM


Originally Posted by AnnieF
I just completed 4 lap quilts with cotton on the front and fleece as a backing. I didn't put batting in it. These were for my quilt ministry quilt and were going to children in hospitals. I pinbasted all 4 quilts first and then began machine quilting. I free motion quilted the first one and it didn't give me any problem whatsoever. My problem is that I like the texture of a cotton on cotton quilt with batting and the quilt I finished was squishy and soft and fluffy. So after I finished quilting the first one, I told my daughter that I was taking apart the other 3 and putting cotton as a backing. My daughter very wisely told me that just because I didn't like the squishy feel didn't mean a little child wouldn't like it. I decided to take her advice and the quilts turned out really cute.

Oh and like AnnieF - when I use Fleece I don't use batting!

ladybjbk 01-11-2011 08:46 PM

If you are going to use polar fleece as a backing, you have to wash it in really warm (close to hot) water and then dry it in the dryer. Buy really good polar fleece, then put extra seams in your project. Good luck.

ladybjbk 01-11-2011 08:48 PM

If you are going to use polar fleece as a backing, you have to wash it in really warm (close to hot) water and then dry it in the dryer. Buy really good polar fleece, then put extra seams in your project. Good luck.

quilttiludrop 01-11-2011 09:19 PM

I have made one quilt with fleece for backing. I personally don't like the texture, but I just did a large diamond pattern (stitch in the ditch). It turned out very nice. This was done on a standard short arm machine.


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